Livestreaming has arrived on Plenty of Fish! We’ve started rolling out our new feature, Live! and are so excited to offer our members a new way to connect and a new community to be a part of.
If you haven’t read our last post, we encourage you to check it out, as it answers some FAQs about the feature itself. If you’re new to livestreaming – don’t worry! We’re here to make you feel as comfortable as possible and give you the tools you need to livestream like a star!
Start off by watching this quick introductory video about best practices for livestreaming.
The most important takeaway from this video is the “Top 5 Streamer Tips” which will make you stand out in your first livestream!
Once you have the technical aspects down, you might be wondering what to talk about on your livestream! We get it, it can be hard to put yourself out there, but we have suggestions! The options are endless in terms of conversation topics, and we want you to talk about what comes most naturally to you, but here are some prompts to get you started:
Have a Favorite Hobby? Talk About It!
Whatever your hobby may be, it’s a great jumping-off point and an easy way to start cultivating a community with similar interests to you. Maybe you’re a huge sports fan or a total comic book junkie. You might love a certain genre of music, or are really into gaming. Spend some time thinking about the things you love to do, and what you love about them. Generally, when we’re talking about things we enjoy, it takes the pressure off of coming up with things to say, and things begin to flow naturally. You also might find an entirely new group of people who enjoy the same things as you do and can begin to swap stories and opinions.
Don’t have many hobbies you want to talk about? Now is the perfect time to start a new one and talk about it! Your viewers can offer you advice on where to start and you can keep them updated on your progress. Some popular hobbies you could try include video games, cooking, exercising/fitness, photography, writing, and art.
Passionate About Something? Talk About It!
Just like the above, when you’re passionate about something, you’re your most genuine self! Your passion will come across to your viewers and you can begin gaining an audience of those with similar opinions and even those with opposing opinions that are inspired by your passion for a given subject. Do you feel strongly about health and wellness? Amazing, tell us why! Maybe you’re really passionate about traveling and adventuring, or your job whatever it may be, tell us more! Seeing someone light up when they talk about their passions is a wonderfully honest thing to watch, and a great place to start when it comes to livestreaming.
Are you a self-appointed expert on something? Livestreaming is the perfect way to share your knowledge with others. There are plenty of ways to do this including demonstrating, teaching, or just talking! Particularly now, during this time of social distancing, people have time on their hands and are looking to learn new things all the time. If you’re an amazing cook, talk your viewers through your favorite dish. If you’re an incredible dancer, show us some moves or teach some. If you don’t want to go the demonstration route, there’s lots of knowledge that can be shared just by talking (ie – how to find the perfect wine and cheese pairing, or how to take the perfect nature shot on your camera).
Even if you don’t feel like an ‘expert’ on any specific topic, everyone has something they can share with others. Think about any time someone in your life has asked for your help with something and start there. Soon, you’ll come across something great and there’s an audience out there that will connect with it.
TV Show/Movie Fanatic? Talk About It!
Let’s be honest, everyone is binging something these days on some sort of streaming platform. If you’re really into a particular show, have a discussion about it on your stream! You can give your reviews of movies and shows you’ve recently watched and ask for others’ opinions of them as well. You can even get into a debate about which streaming service you prefer and why! If you’re watching a show that airs weekly, you can give your thoughts on each weekly episode and ask viewers for theirs. Shows and movies gather huge fan bases, and I know I’ve had some pretty lively discussions about recent content I’ve watched (cough…Tiger King…), so you can definitely do the same if you feel inclined!
Like this topic, but still aren’t sure where to start? Try listing your “Top 5 Shows from 2019,” “Top 10 Movies of All Time,” or “Best Recently Added Shows and Movies on Netflix.”
Have Pets? Show Them!
Pet lovers unite! No one has a pet and doesn’t love talking about them. If you’re one of these people, you’re in great company. Furry friends are a welcome addition on any livestream, and it’s easy to bond with your viewers over how great your pet is because come on – who’s isn’t? Chat with your audience about your animal while they offer comments and tell you about theirs. If your pet knows any fun tricks, showcase them as well – it will be sure to be a crowd-pleaser!
Have Questions to Ask or Answer? Ask Them! Answer Them!
Another great way to livestream and ensure you’re engaging with your viewers as much as possible is to offer a Q&A style stream where you ask viewers questions and engage with their answers, or gather questions from your viewers and answer them on your stream. These questions can really be about anything, and giving your audience shout-outs as they ask or answer things can be a really effective way to build a loyal viewer base. If you’re unsure of where to start, you can always ask your audience about their favorite hobby, game, clothing brand, etc, or ask their opinion about something you’re curious about and go from there.
Overall, we want to encourage our members to be themselves while livestreaming as it will help to cultivate a genuine audience that you’ll be able to truly connect with.
Your final Live! tips?
1. Be You
2. Be Real
3. Be Respectful
4. Have fun!
Carly Johannson
Carly is on the Brand Team at Plenty of Fish. She's a certified English nerd with a passion for new adventures and a tendency to stop mid-sentence to point out dogs on the street. When she's not enthralled by nature documentaries and/or whatever is on Food Network, you'll find her cooking extravagant meals and memorizing rap lyrics to perform badly at karaoke nights.
